When we go to a store, a hotel, or any kind of property, you expect it to be safe and up to date. But sometimes property owners don’t keep up with maintenance and people are injured on their properties. When someone injures themselves in a falling accident on another person’s property, we call these types of incidents slip and fall accidents. In this type of scenario, a Cincinnati slip and fall lawyer can help you recover.
The injury lawyers at Bey & Associates are ready to listen to your case and work tirelessly so you get compensation for your injuries. We understand what you’re going through and want to fight for your rights. Get in touch with us at (513) 202-3912 for a free case review.
Slip and Fall Accidents and Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents are a specific type of premises liability case. When owners don’t take care of their properties, they’re putting people at risk. They need to make sure that people can move around the property safely. Taking care of walkways, entranceways, and keeping up with general maintenance is the owner’s responsibility. Not doing so can result in a premises liability case.
All property owners have a legal responsibility to keep visitors safe who come on their properties. These responsibilities are often referred to as a “duty of care”. This duty of care applies for people invited on the property and those who have the owner’s permission to go on the property. Ohio premises liability law states that property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. However, the property owner can be liable if a trespasser is injured or dies on the property if the property owner knew the trespasser was in danger or trouble on the property.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen easily when walking surfaces aren’t kept clear and safe. OSHA lists some of the main causes for slip and fall accidents to occur:
- Wet Surfaces. Wet substances like water, grease, oil, and mud will make a walking surface slippery and unsafe.
- Dry Surfaces. Be careful walking on powder, dust, and plastic wrapping because they’re uneven and don’t allow your shoes to grip the floor.
- Loose Floors. Uneven flooring, ripped carpeting, loose tiles or rugs could all cause falling accidents.
- Angled Walking Surfaces. Sloped surfaces like ramps needs extra care to ensure walking safety.
- Weather. Rain, ice, sleet, and snow in the winter increase the likelihood of slipping and falling. People tracking snow inside also makes entranceways just as slippery. Consistent shoveling, salting, and thick mats in doorways help reduce fall risk.
- Obstacles and Clutter. Wires and objects that obstruct a clear path are easy to trip over. Injuries could worsen if this occurs on a flight of stairs.
- Poor Lighting. People need to be able to clearly see where they’re going so they can navigate the paths in front of them safely.
Slip and Fall Injury Risks
Elderly people have a higher fall risk than others because of problems like lower body weakness, balance issues, and poor vision. Falls can cause serious injuries and sometimes death for seniors. The CDC reported common slip and fall injuries for seniors:
- TBI. Traumatic brain injuries caused by falls, along with hip fractures, are the reason why 800,000 patients are hospitalized each year. Falling is the most common cause of these injuries.
- Hip Fractures. 300,000 seniors have to be hospitalized because of hip fractures a year. More than 95% of hip fractures are a fall injury.
But this doesn’t mean that slip and fall injuries in younger people still aren’t severe. Other possible injuries from a slip and fall include:
- Sprained Wrists and Ankles.
- Broken Bones.
- Abrasions.
Slip and fall injuries can severely affect your health and take time to heal. Knowing the risks could help you avoid unsafe walking areas in the future.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
After the initial shock of a slip and fall accident, there are a few actions you should take for your claim. Following these steps will help your claim.
- Report It: After an accident, you should report it to the person who owns the premises. It’s okay if the owner isn’t there. Find who is in charge at the time. You’ll probably be asked to fill out an accident report. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but if you do fill it out, only report the facts. Guessing or lying could negatively affect your claim.
- Gather Evidence: Photographs will help support your claim. Take photographs of the area where you fell, and if you can, capture the reason why you fell. Take more pictures than you think you need, and make sure to get as many angles as possible. If your injury has any physical marks, you can photograph that as well. Witnesses of your accident will provide a third party account. If they’re willing to make a statement, get their contact information.
- See a Doctor: Before jumping into making a claim, you need to take care of yourself. Explain what happened to your doctor. They’ll give you a medical evaluation and you can start treating your injuries immediately. Waiting until your injuries get worse could hurt your claim. Save copies of your medical records.
- Contact a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer: A knowledgeable slip and fall injury lawyer on your side can help you with your claim.
- Deal with Insurance Adjusters: There’s a strong chance that insurance adjusters will contact you and ask for a statement. You don’t have to do this. You can say that you’re not discussing the incident and that your lawyer is handling your case.
Get Support from a Cincinnati Slip and Fall Lawyer
No one should be responsible for getting hurt because of someone else’s carelessness. Slip and fall injuries can vary in degree, but they can involve hospital visits, medication, and possibly physical therapy. Recovery may mean having to miss work, which also puts undue stress on people. People shouldn’t have to experience this physical and emotional suffering without someone by their side. Standing up for yourself will set a precedent that property owners need to care for their properties and be held accountable for their actions. You could potentially stop another person having a slip and fall accident in the future.
The Cincinnati slip and fall lawyers at Bey & Associates believe in standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. With experience, compassion, and expertise, we will help you with your case and do all we can to get you the justice you deserve.
